Friends, family members, colleagues and dignitaries gathered at two locations Friday – in the afternoon at the Ionia County Sheriff's Office and in the evening at Corner Landing – to pay tribute to a man who has served as Ionia County sheriff for 14 years.

Dwain Dennis began his career in law enforcement in 1970 as a patrol officer in Detroit. He joined the Ionia County Sheriff's Office in 1972 as a jail officer and road deputy. He served as a detective for 24 years, before becoming sheriff in 1998.